Matrix Lighting Glare Reduction via Cyclic Signal Desynchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver assistance systems fail to effectively reduce glare from indirect light sources during night driving without diminishing the overall light intensity of the road scene, as they either rely on adaptive screens that cannot filter indirect glare or headlamp adjustments that reduce illumination.

Innovation Solution

A driving assistance method that uses a combination of an adaptive screen with a shutter system and a matrix lighting module with pulsed light beams, where the light sources' emission is cyclically shifted relative to the shutter switching cycles to maintain constant light intensity, thereby reducing glare without decreasing the overall road illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If adaptive screens are used to filter direct light sources, then dazzling from direct light is reduced, but glare from indirect light sources cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedazzling from direct light sourcesVSAvoidability to filter indirect light sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the shutter's opening/closing cycles with the light source's emission cycles. The shutter is configured to close during periods when reflected light from indirect sources would cause glare, and open during periods when illumination is needed, creating a periodic filtering effect that reduces indirect glare while maintaining direct light transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the shutter's transmission characteristics dynamically adjustable based on the type of light source. The system dynamically switches between different shutter states (open for direct light, closed for indirect reflected light) based on real-time detection of light source characteristics and reflection patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If headlamp intensity is reduced to minimize reflected glare from indirect light sources, then glare is reduced, but overall road scene illumination is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare from indirect light sourcesVSAvoidroad scene illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action by modulating the headlamp emission in synchronized cycles with the shutter operation. The light source emits intense light during periods when the shutter is closed (blocking reflected glare), and reduces emission when the shutter is open, creating a periodic emission pattern that maintains overall illumination while minimizing reflected glare

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the headlamp's illumination function throughout the cycle. Even though the intensity is modulated periodically, the light source remains active and provides continuous illumination to the road scene, ensuring that overall visibility is maintained while glare is minimized during specific phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If localized modulation of light beam intensity is applied to reduce glare from specific zones, then glare from those zones is reduced, but overall road scene illumination is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalized glareVSAvoidroad scene illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the road scene into multiple zones corresponding to different light source locations and reflection patterns. The shutter and light source are controlled to selectively filter or emit light for each zone independently, allowing glare from specific indirect light sources to be reduced while maintaining illumination in other zones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different light transmission and emission characteristics to different spatial zones. The shutter's opening/closing pattern and the light source's intensity modulation are tailored to each specific zone's glare conditions, creating locally optimized illumination that reduces glare in problematic areas while maintaining brightness in areas where it is needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively reduces glare from indirect light sources by adjusting the timing of light beam emission, ensuring that the light intensity perceived by the driver remains constant, thus minimizing discomfort while maintaining road scene illumination.

Implementation Method 1

the adaptive screen is configured to attenuate the incident luminous flux of the direct light sources perceived from the motor vehicle, thus reducing the quantity of photons perceived by the user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption and filtering: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

at least one matrix lighting module comprising a plurality of light sources, said matrix lighting module being driven by a second control signal and configured to emit a plurality of pulsed light beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 3

modification of a parameter of the second control signal of the selected light source(s) emitting a beam light illuminating at least in part said element of the road scene in order to produce a cyclic shift of the corresponding second control signal with respect to the first control signal, said cyclic shift substantially preserving the light intensity of the illuminating beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemporal modulation of light intensity:

Data Source

PatentEP3357753B1Driving assistance method and system
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3357753B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3357753B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3357753B1 patent drawingFigure 3C

AI summary

The invention relates to a driver assistance method (100) in which the second control signal driving the pulsed light beams emitted by the light sources of a matrix lighting module (22) is desynchronized with respect to the first control signal driving the switching of the shutters of an adaptive screen (26, 28, F). The desynchronization takes the form of a cyclic offset of the second control signal relative to the first control signal so as to maintain constant illumination of the road scene (SR), while reducing glare for the driver of the motor vehicle (20). The invention also relates to a driver assistance system (10) and a vehicle incorporating such a driver assistance system (10).